Avid Introduces Sibelius First Notation Software

Avid introduces Sibelius First ($129), a consumer notation and composition software application designed to make music creation fast and easy for virtually anyone. Sibelius First takes advantage of the toolset in Avid’s professional scoring software, Sibelius 6, for its ease of use and innovative features.

Sibelius First helps users easily notate, scan, play back, transcribe, arrange, print and publish music, eliminating the intricacies of musical notation that novice users might find cumbersome. Sibelius First is offered as a solution for creative people interested in making their own music, from the hobbyist composing music at home to the songwriter who needs to produce individual parts for their bands.

Features include Magnetic Layout, which enables users to cut score preparation time in half by automatically moving score elements into their perfect position. Dynamic Parts automatically synchronizes any changes made to music and transposes according to the instruments they contain. Keyboard and Fretboard windows allow users to input notes by clicking on keys, or by playing their computer’s keyboard like a piano, ideal for anyone who is unfamiliar with many of the basics of music notation. Chord symbols enable songwriters to add chord symbols for an entire lead sheet in just a few seconds.

The Easy to Share feature allows composers to easily play back scores and create audio files for backing tracks, CDs and MP3 sharing. With online publishing, users can publish music online in a form that can be played back, transposed and printed out directly within a Web browser. Users can also sell their music online at www.sibeliusmusic.com.